Shaun Edwards reveals his verdict on Wales and defends France despite poor results

Shaun Edwards insists France aren't as bad as it seems

Shaun Edwards believes Wales are on the right track but insists France will be ready for Warren Gatland's side at the Principality Stadium on Sunday.

Wales have lost their opening three games of the Six Nations and are a side in transition, with many senior players having moved on after the Rugby World Cup. But former Wales defence coach Edwards, who now holds the same role with France, has seen enough to suggest they are moving in the right direction.

“They look in good shape," he told AFP. "Warren Gatland is building a new team, he is very good at that.

"He already did it. Against Ireland, despite the score, they caused them a lot of problems.

"It was the same against England and Scotland, the match could have gone one way or the other. They play hard for 80 minutes and they will test us."

SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what's really going on around all the big issues - including the exceptions still present in the 25-cap rule. This special offer will get you full access for the entire year for just £10 instead of £40.

So far in the Championship France have looked a shadow of the side which won 14 Test matches in a row between November 2021 and February 2023. They are of course missing the world's best player Antoine Dupont, who has taken a sabbatical to try his hand on the sevens circuit, while they are also without star outside-half Romain Ntamack, among others.

Fabien Galthié's side were well beaten in their Six Nations opener against Ireland in Marseille, before sneaking past Scotland and drawing with Italy in Lille. "Since I arrived, this is the first time where we haven't shown our true colours," said Edwards.

"Against Italy, we drew but people forget that, when we won 14 matches in a row we only beat Italy by five points. At the time, we had our best players and we were untouchable.

"Everyone was in good shape, we beat South Africa and New Zealand but against Italy it came down to nothing, on a maul where Romain Taofifenua and the forwards intervened. Italy gave us problems."

Despite their evident dip in form Edwards insists France aren't as bad as people think and is confident they will be better against Wales on Sunday. "Going to Scotland and winning against one of the top five teams in the world is no small thing," he said.

"It was obviously a huge disappointment to lose to Ireland. The draw against Italy was also disappointing but I think we moved away, in the first half, from what we know how to do which is take points. We had opportunities to take three points but we were too greedy.

“From a defensive point of view, we have improved. We went from 38 points conceded to 16 then to 13. Believe it or not, we have the second best defence of the tournament. All defences are having difficulties, apart from Ireland's.

"The attacks have taken over and it's difficult to defend."